It originally sat on the banks of the Missouri and Chariton Rivers until flooding forced residents to move to higher ground. The town took its name from James Keyte, a Methodist preacher and entrepreneur, who donated land for the new location in 1833.

A few famous people have called Keytesville home. Confederate General Sterling Price, the 11th governor of Missouri, lived here. General Maxwell Taylor was born in Keytesville, as was sports star Cal Hubbard, a member of both the Football and Baseball Halls of Fame.

Log Cabin

Logs salvaged from two early Keytesville homes, dating back as far as 1840, were used in the construction of an authentic hand-hewn log house. It features a single room with loft plus a lean-to and porch.